NFL scouts galore show up for FSU Pro Day

33 FSU players showcased during Pro Day

TALLAHASSEE — Sweaty and still huffing and puffing from his Pro Day workout, former Florida State safety Terrence Brooks walked over to crowded media contingent.

Flashing a grin, Brooks asked, "Why didn't you all tell me I'd be running this much?"

Behind Brooks was a group of roughly 70 NFL executives, representing all 32 teams, sprawled across the field at FSU's indoor practice facility Tuesday. The NFL Network aired the event. FSU coach Jimbo Fisher laughed and joked with Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin. Even Heisman Trophy winner Jameis Winston showed up briefly to support his teammates before leaving for a baseball game.

With 33 former Seminoles participating in FSU's Pro Day, the showcase for professional scouts to evaluate draft prospects felt like an ode to the team's undefeated championship season.

"When you see so many head coaches and [general managers] and the top guys, you know they're here for a reason," Fisher said. "There are guys that can make an impact on their team, and they only come to see the top people. It's very encouraging, also letting us know that we're evaluating guys the right way and developing guys the right way."

FSU's field of athletes varied from the stars looking to solidify their stock, to under-the-radar prospects trying to get noticed, to those who saw their college careers fade into obscurity.

Content with their previous 40-yard dash times at the NFL Scouting Combine in February, Brooks, linebacker Telvin Smith, defensive back Lamarcus Joyner and linebacker Christian Jones declined to run in the event.

They participated in other drills, but were more so trying to tweak the perceptions of scouts. Smith has been trying to prove that his slight frame will not be an issue in the NFL. He spent the past month working out and weighed in at 224 pounds. Timmy Jernigan — projected to be a first-round pick — also is dealing with similar doubts and came in weighing 305 pounds, about 15 pounds more than his playing weight this past season.

FSU did not release official times or measurements.

Center Bryan Stork was advised by doctors not to run at the combine, so he had his first chance to show off surprising mobility.

"I ran like a gazelle," Stork said. "I heard a 5.25 and a 5.31 [seconds on his 40-yard dash]. Who knows? It doesn't matter. I'm a ball player not a track athlete."

And then there were those looking for a shot at redemption, like James Wilder Jr. and Greg Reid.

Wilder is considered more of a power back, but his draft stock took a major hit during the combine when he ran a plodding 4.86-second 40-yard dash. He redeemed himself Tuesday, looking trimmer while being clocked at what he said was 4.53 seconds in the 40-yard dash.

"I know in the combine, I had a stumble," Wilder said. "I don't really look at the media too much, but there was all that 4.8 stuff. I know I didn't run it so I knew this was a big day.

"It definitely took a monkey off my shoulders."

Reid was a standout defensive back for FSU, but was kicked out of school after violating the university's three-strike substance abuse policy. He went to Valdosta State but tore his anterior cruciate ligament. After rehabbing his knee, he suffered another tear and was limited in FSU's Pro Day last year.

But on Tuesday, an upbeat Reid looked like he did before the injuries.

"It's always great to be back, especially to see Jimbo and all the guys from the national championship, and seeing how hard they worked," Reid said. "Being in this new building, it's beautiful, man. And I enjoy working out, especially with the Seminole family."